“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12.

How does our Enemy operate?
He has four primary objectives in interrupting God’s work in our lives.

First-
Satan wants us to doubt God’s Word.

If he can get you doubting just a little bit, then he’s secured a foothold in your life.

In Genesis 3:1, this is how he confronted Eve in the Garden.

The serpent planted a seed of doubt in her mind.

And the results were catastrophic for all mankind!

Second-
Satan tries to distract us from spiritual matters.

He wants us focused on earthly, temporary outlets.

It sometimes seems as if the Enemy uses every television, cell phone, and computer to change our focus from the Word to things with no eternal value.

Third-
Satan works to disable us from the Lord’s service.

He will do anything to prevent you from making an impact for Christ.

Think about all the popular Christian leaders who have fallen away.

Their sinful deeds were made public.

And the spiritual work they had done was discredited.

The Devil rejoices at this and considers it a great success.

Fourth-
Satan wants to destroy us physically.

One of his most effective tactics involves attacking our bodies.

Sickness, addictions, stress, and obesity can consume a person’s entire life.

The Devil would much prefer that you focus on your body, not spiritual things.

“Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God” (2 Corinthians 3:4).

The three-headed monster of-

– inferiority,
– insecurity and
– inadequacy

-can paralyze a Christian into inactivity.

God’s desire is to destroy the monster with the truth and render him impotent in our lives.

Satan’s desire is to feed him with lies until he’s big and strong.

Who are we going to believe?

Believing who we are in Christ destroys feelings of inferiority.

Believing where we are in Christ destroys feelings of insecurity.

Believing what we have in Christ destroys feelings of inadequacy.

What a transformation when a Christian believes the truth.

I do not want you to think I am always victorious and never struggle with the three-headed monster.

He still rears his ugly head every now and then.

When Satan tells me, “Who do you think you are?”

Let me tell you what I would say:

“I am light in the world. I am salt in the earth. I am a child of God. I am the bride of Christ. I am a joint-heir with Christ. I have the power of the Holy Spirit. I have been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of Christ. I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved.

I know that without Him I am nothing but an empty vessel.

However, because of Him, I am filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and have been blessed with every spiritual blessing!

I can be confident because of who I am as a child of the King.

I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me!”

Now it’s your turn!

When is the last time you had a case of the “I can’ts?

Where do you think those feelings of insecurity come from?

Do you believe that the power of God lives in you?

Do you think there is any incident in which God would say “I can’t?”

I hope you answered no!

Look up these two verses and write them down.

Post them in a visible place and look at them every time your confidence begins to wane this week.